Media Server

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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Jan. 22, 2017 7:56 am

I had an older mini-tower PC sitting around, and decided to set it up as a media server. The PC did not have enough resources to run Windows 10, and I already have a linux desktop...so I decided to install Ubuntu server edition (very basic install of Linux with no graphical interface). Install was very easy, just booted it up off a USB drive and went from there. Installed SSH to control it remotely, and then moved it down to the basement with no keyboard, monitor, etc.

Took me a little while to get the network sharing working properly, but once I got that setup I installed PLEX on it.

https://www.plex.tv/

PLEX is a free media server app that you can install on many different devices, I followed their instructions and installed it on my linux server. Once it is installed you access PLEX via a web browser - I do this with our laptop upstairs. I ripped some of the kids DVD's into the recommended format and put them on the server - now they can watch these movies without having to handle/change the DVD's - via a Roku box, or even on an iPad.

So far so good.

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ricoman2737
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Post by ricoman2737 » Sun. Jan. 22, 2017 5:50 pm

Rob,

Very clever. Sounds like Geek Squad Stuff. John

 
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Post by titleist1 » Sun. Jan. 22, 2017 6:05 pm

And to think I was happy I figured out the TV to DVD to sound bar setup here..... :cry:

Very impressive...

:notworthy:

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Mon. Feb. 20, 2017 5:58 pm

Update on this - I have added a significant amount of content to the Plex server, and enjoy being able to access it from any of our TV's. I also added a second hard drive to the media server and use it to back up pictures, etc.


 
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northernmainecoal
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Post by northernmainecoal » Tue. Feb. 21, 2017 7:34 am

Have you looked at running Kodi as your media server? Lots of free content available as well as the ability to store personal media

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Tue. Feb. 21, 2017 6:19 pm

Cool. might have to check that out.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Feb. 21, 2017 7:11 pm

northernmainecoal wrote:Have you looked at running Kodi as your media server? Lots of free content available as well as the ability to store personal media
Yes....but I preferred the Plex interface, and that it is a simple install on our Roku boxes.

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